St. Patrick's Day Chocolate Stout Cupcakes

Okay, seriously...with a name like Chocolate Stout Cupcakes how could you go wrong?  Well, with this recipe you can't!  I found it on www.foodnetwork.com while searching for a good St. Patrick's Day treat to make.  I probably don't need to tell you this, but they are delicious.  I was surprised that you can really taste the stout, and that it goes really well with chocolate.  We did sprinkle some with green sugar for the boys.  I think next year I might put some green food coloring in the frosting too!  Happy St. Patty's Day!

St. Patrick's Day Chocolate Stout Cupcakes:
click here for printable version
adapted from Dave Lieberman


CUPCAKES:
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa
2 cups sugar
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
pinch of salt
1 bottle Guinness stout beer
1 stick butter, melted
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
3 eggs
3/4 cup sour cream


Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Combine the stout, butter and vanilla.  Beat in the eggs.  Mix in the sour cream until smooth, then add the cocoa, flour, sugar, baking soda and salt.  
Spray 24 muffin tins with non-stick spray.
Fill each tin 3/4 full.  Bake for about 23 minutes, until the cupcakes have a dome on them.
Cool before taking out of tins.


FROSTING:

1- 8 ounce package cream cheese, softened at room temperature

3/4 cup to 1 cup heavy cream

1- 1# box powdered sugar

Beat the cream cheese with a hand mixer until light and fluffy.  Gradually beat in the cream.  Slowly add the sugar until smooth.  Refrigerate frosting if you are not using immediately.
Frost the cupcakes when cooled completely.